Automatic electrical radio broad



Feb. 20, 1940. A, w, PLENSLER Re. 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Origihal Filed Sept. 3, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 1940.. A. w. PLENSLER Re. 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept. 3 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 v fizuenfr flax Mr Ufkwkr Feb. 20, 1940. v I w, LE Re. 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept. 3, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 20, 1940. A. w. PLENSLEl Re. 21,366

AUTOMAT IC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept. 3, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 I a.mu Z6 1 4 fave/2%? fist ma??- MPZe/vr Feb. 20, 1940. A. w. PLENSLER AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Se pt. :s, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 g 1 M w I, x I J 7 7 M F y y w z a l I [wank/ fllfrmar ZMPZewZer 7 Feb. 20, 1940. A. w. PLENSLER Re. 21

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept 5, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 fmerzzr' jkmar'i/Pk/vkr Feb. 20, 1940. A w. 'PLENSLER Re. 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept. 5, i929 1o Sheets-Sheet 7 fwenzr- Feb. 20, 1940. w PLENSLER Re. 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Fileasept. 5, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 fizz/672$) fl/frafzczr llffkwler ,Feb. 20, 1940. A. w. PLENSLER Re- 21,366

AUTOMATIC ELECTRQIGAL RADIO- BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed'Sept. 3, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Feb. 20, 1940. A. w. PLENSLER Re. 21,

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROADCAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Original Filed Sept. 3, 1929 l0 Sheets-Sheei 10 Reissued Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL RADIO BROAD- CAST AND WAVE SELECTOR Alexander. W. Plensler, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Belmont Radio Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original No. 2,114,068, dated April 12, 1938, Serial No. 390,064, September 3, 1929. Renewed November 17, 1937. Application for reissue May 11, 1939, Serial No. 273,150

48 Claims. (CL 250-40) operate the tuning controls in any other manner except by the use of this system..

It is also a purpose of this inventionto provide a system of this character which willautomatically cut off the emanation of sound by the loud speaker of the set during the time a station selection is being made and then will automatically connect in the loud speaker so as'to cause it to become operative when the selection is completed.

My invention also contemplates certain improvements in systems of this character whereby the tuning devices maybe caused to change their position by driving connection from the motor in such a mannerthat there is no danger of overrunning past the station which is to be selected due to the action of the motor.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of means in a system of this character whereby the receiving apparatus may be controlled from any one of a plurality of difierent points not only as to the selection of stations but also as to the volume and as to turning the set on or off.

In this connection, my invention contemplates the provision of means whereby. a control unit situated at a remote point in respect to the radio set may be caused. to remove the control setting at another point and thereafter caused to control the tuning and volume of the set from the first.

named remote point.

My invention contemplates also as an object This is particularly advantageous where it is desired only to apply the automatic control to a limited number of stations, and, when one does not wish to listen to these stations, to have the set free for ordinary tuning manually. .Withthe present invention it is possible to tune the set manually at any time without in any way interfering. with the future accuracy of operation of accuracy as to make it unnecessary for one to 1 hand end'of Fig. 2 and the control cam;

the automatic tuning systemv and without making any changes in the connection of the auto- The Ordinary tuning dial is used the same as it would be matics'ystem to the-tuning device.

if the automatic system were not employed.

It is also a purpose of this invention to provide in'a-system of this character a novel means for a volume control of the receiving apparatus froma remote point; -A further object of this invention is to provid in asystem of this character means whereby the stations which are to be selected by the automatic Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceed in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the preferred form'of the invention isdisclosed. Itis to be understood, however, that the. drawings and description are illustrative only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention other thanit is limited by the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view partly in section showing my controlmechanism as appliedv to tuning condensers mounted intandem upon a drive shaft; Fig. 2 is aview showing that'portion of the equipment which is to the right of Fig. 1, so that Figs. 1 and 2 show mechanism substantially all of the unit;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; v

' Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is 'a section on the line 55 of Fig." 1; Fig. 6 is a detailed section of a'portion of the structure shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 11 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8is a top view of the structure shown in Fi 9. .is a vertical section taken at the right illustrating a portion of Fig. 10 is a section taken on a horizontal line l0l0 ofFig.11;

. Fig. 11 is a rear view of-the control panel at the receiving-set; y

Fig. '12 is a detailed view partly in sectionof the mechanism for turning the receiving set off and on;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line l3-I3 of Fig; 12;

Fig-14 is a view of the front panel of the radio showing the control panel mounted thereon;

Fig. 15 is a perspective of a remotely disposed control panel which is used in conjunction with tuning apparatus; i

' Fig. 161s a section on the line |6|6 of Fig. 15$.

, Fig. 17 is a view taken on the line |1-|| of clearness; Fig. 18 is a wiring diagramshowing the elec--- trical connections for twostages of wave lengths control; I

Fig; 19 is a-diagram showing the wiring connections for turning thereceiving set off and on;

and

Fig. 20 shows the wiring diagram for the volume a control of the receiving apparatus. I Referring now in detail to .the show at 5 a shaft upon which movable elements 6 of a plurality of condensers having stationary elements such as indicated at 1 are mounted.

These condensersare, of course, the tuningcon-Q densers for the various stages of receiving ap- 9i apparatus since thisforms no part of this invention which is not limited to anyparticular receiving apparatus. 7 K i p I Asuitable indicating dial or drum 8 is also carried by the shaft 5 andthis may be illuminated 1, from the lamp 3 in anywell knownmanner.

. The shaft 5 is rotated by means of the pulley l fixed thereon. connected by a belt drive II to a second pulley 2, there being idler pulleys l3" and I4 as shown in Fig. 4 for driving the drive belt which in the present instance is shown in.

the'form of a round cord. Pulley I2, is fixed upon shaft I which shaft is connected to a tuning knob I6 exteriorly of the front panel IT provided on the receiving apparatus. Shaft I5 is supported on suitable bearings asindicated at I8 and IM and has intermediate its en'ds a worm' gear l9 rotatably mounted thereon which gear is provided with a clutch ring at 20. adapted to mesh with clutchj member'2l when this'memberi 2| is moved to the left as shown in 4. The member 2| is splined to theshaft 5'by means of cooperating keyways 22 and 23 andaball type key 24 which. permits sliding of the sleeve 25 of clutch member 2| on shaft IS with a minimum amount of friction, but it also guarantees that 'member 2| willrotate withshaft l5. Suitable collars are, of course, provided to hold the gear l9 inposition, and this gear meshes with a worm 26 which worm-is mounted on the drive shaft 21 of a small reversible type motor 28 asshown most clearly in Fig. 2. I

At this point it might be well to observe that unless the clutch member 2| is inme'sh with the member 20 so. as to cause rotation of shaft'li with the gear .|9,"there is nothing to' interfere'. with the turning of shaft I 5 by means of the is accomplished will now be described.

It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4 in particular that clutch member 2| has a groove 28 with which drawings, 1

the clutch operating arm 29 engages. This arm 25 is a movable armature secured at 30 to the frame and adapted to be moved by 'means of the desired to throw in the clutch and drive'the shaft l5 and with it through the medium of the belts Fig. 16 with the casing left off for the sake of g v 3| and 32 are energized to attract the armature and pulleys shaft 5 from the motor, the magnets 29 thus causing engagement between themembers-20 and-2| of the clutch. I

The arm- 29 of the armature also carries a contact between a pair of contacts such as indicated at36 and 31. i The center of this yoke depending ar m member 33 which arm member engages a pivotedvyoke 34 by extending into the 34is connected asindicated by the numeral 38 p in circuit with some of the other apparatus as will bepresently described, so that the effect of shifting from one side to the other is tolalternately clos'e' points in two difierent circuits.

' Mounted on the shaft 5 are a plurality of. cam units such asindicated at 39, 40, and 4|. These units are made up of pairs of sections 42 and 43 which together make up a complete circle or disc with'theexception of slight apertures at 44 and 45 betweenthe separate halves. Atthe center of the elements-42 and 43 they extend through a section 42 ofthe cams from section 43.

-Now the insulating pieces 54 and 53 are clampedin position on the member 5| by suitable nuts such as shown at 55 and5|i and this clamping-is preferably made only so tight as to normally prevent turning of the cam members on the shaft 5l.- However, due to the frictional grippingbetween the insulating pieces 53 and 54, it is aneasymatter to turn the shaft 5 and the sleeve 5| while holding any one of the cam members 33, 40, or, against rotation.

The camrmembers can thus be adjusted cir-- cumferentially around the shaft 5 to change-their relative position with respect to the movable blades 6 of the tuning condensers. The purpose of: this.is:to permit adjustment of these cam members which :control, as will be brought out presently,.the' amount of turning which will be given to the tuning condensers each time the clutch members 20 and 2| are brought together.

and the:motor started.

- Figs. 5.,and 6 show means whereby the cam members 42. and 43 are brought into action to control the termination of the turning of the movable condenser elements at the proper position for the'station to be selected. An electro-' magnet consisting of the two coils 51 and 58 is mounted below each of the cam members 39, 40,

4|. etc., and in position to be attracted by these magnets there is situated a series of armatures such as55, 60, and 6 These'armatures, as indicated in Fig.5, have at their free ends a contacting portion 62 which contacting portion is adapted when the armature is attracted by the electro magnetsto engage the outer surface of one ofthe' cam members depending uponwhich armature is attracted by its corresponding electro-magnet.

Now at the same time this armature is attracted, the second contact member 63 carried by the armature 59 and insulated therefrom is brought forward to contact with a contacting pin 64 which pin extends through the core of coil 51. The contact between the member 63 and pin 64 is adapted to close another point in' the energizing circuit as will be brought out presently in connection with the wiring diagram of the system.

Referring now to Fig. 18, the wiring connections for a pair of cam elements such as 39 and 49 is shown it being understood, of course, that the remainder of the cam elements are wired in a like manner to the two shown. In this diagram, a source 'of current as indicated at 64' is connected by means of one lead 65 to one terminal of the reversible split field motor 28. Another terminal of this motor is connected by means of the lead 66 to one of the cam sections 42 of each of the cam members 39 and 49 these sections being connected in parallel as shown. The other terminal is connected by means of a lead 61 to the sections 43 of the cam members 39 and 49. The armatures 59 are connected as by leads 69 and 69 to the positive side of the source of current as illustrated in Fig. 1B. The electro-magnets 51 including also the extra coil 58 which for the sake of convenience in the wire diagram has been shown as a single magnet have one terminal connected by means of the lead 1| to the positive side of the source of current. The other terminals of. these electro-magnets are connected through suitable push buttons, which will be describd later, indicated at 12 and 13 to the negative side 19 of the source of current.

Connected to contact 36 are the conductors 14 and 15 which conductors connect to the pins 64 which pins 64 are adapted to engage as described hereinbefore with the contact members 63 which contact members are connected to the leads from coils of magnets 51 to the contacts of push buttons 12 and 13. The yoke 34 has been shown diagrammatically in connection with the armature 29 and the electro-magnetic coils 3| and 32, with the electro-magnet referred to in the diagram sketch of Fig. 18 as 3| andthe armature as a single movable armature 34 having a pair of contacts with which the terminals 36 and 31 engage, this armature being connected by means of conductor 38 with the terminal 19 of the source of current. Electro-magnet 3| is energized by a means of leads 11 and 18 connected across the leads 66 and 61 of the motor so that any time the motor is energized this electro-magnet will also be energized. The terminal 31 is connected by means of a lead 19 to one side of the loud speaker indicated at 99, the other side thereof being connected by means of the lead 8| to one terminal of the source of current 64'.

Now the operation of the system to rotate the tuning device is accomplished as follows:

Assuming that the station corresponding to the push button 12 is to be selected, push button 12 is depressed to close a circuit extending from the source of current through lead 1|, coil of magnet 51, contacts of push button 12 to terminal 19 of the source of current. This energizes electro-magnet 51 associated with button 12, and this magnet in turn attracts armature 59 associ ated therewith which armature 59 contacts with segment 43 of cam member 39.

7i- At the same time contact 63-engages the end of the pin 64 and completes a holding circuit for the previously energized magnet 51 over the following path:

Positive side of source of current, conductor 1|, coil of magnet 51, contact 63, pin 64, conductor 14, terminal 36 (electro-magnet 3| was energized by the depression of push button 12 over a path which will be presently described, so armature 34 is now in contact with terminal 36), armature 34, and conductor '38 to negative side of source of current at 19. This completed circuit will, of course, hold the electro-magnet 51 energized independently of the push button 12 which is only momentarily depressed. Contacting of armature 59 with segment 43 completes an energizing circuit for the motor by connecting lead 61 thereof through the segment 43, armature 59, and switch a to the positive side of source of current 64'.

The motor is energized in this fashion and when so energized rotates the shaft 5 carrying the cams 39 and 49 in a clockwise direction. Armature 59, of course, remains in contact with the segment 43 during this operation. The energization of the electro-ma-gnet 3| has, of course, thrown the clutch member 2| into engagement with the clutch member 29, so that as the motor rotates it drives shaft 5 through the medium of shaft I5 and the associated pulleys and belt connection.

As another result of the energization of electro-magnet 3|, the circuit is broken at 31 for the loud speaker 89, so that the loud speaker is rendered inoperative during the tuning operation.

The motor is energized until such time as the contacting portion 62 of armature 59 falls into the depression 44 between segments 42 and 43 at which time these segments are electrically connected by means of this contacting portion 62 to short circuit the motor leads 66 and 61 and thereby the electro-magnet 3|. The immediate result of this short circuit is to release the armature 34 which will fall back due to its being a spring armature to open the clutch and thus stop the rotation of shaft 5 suddenly. Armature 34 in falling back also breaks the energizing circuit for electro-magnet 51 at 36 which permits armature 59 to'fall back and restore the circuit to normal with the motor deenergized due to the fact that positive side of battery 64' is now disconnected from either lead 66 or 61. At the same time the falling back of armature 34 closes at 31 the energizing circuit for the loud speaker 89 to cause the loud speaker to again be put in operation.

As this adjustment of the tuning of the shaft 5-by stopping the cams such as 39 and 49 on a definite point may be made quite critical, tuning to the desired station is made very accurate so that no further fine tuning is necessary after the station has been selected by the automatic device.

The operation of push button 13 will, of course, have the same efiect to energize the associated electro-magnet 51 and attract the associated armature 59, but, owing to the different setting of the cam 49 for a different wave length, the armature 59 associated withbutton 13 will contact as shown in Fig. 18 with segment 42 of cam 49. This will result in energization of the motor 28 by connecting negative battery to lead 66, so that in this case the motor will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and the operation repeated with this variation in the same manner as has been previously described.

In this manner, itis possibleto select as many stations as there are providedcam members such as 39 and 4|) by adjustment, of the cams as has been hereinbefore described. It is, of course, possible to change the wave length which any cam'will. cause to be selected, so that the entire range of stations or anyindividual station may be removed from the automatic selecting device and replaced with any other station desired. This may be done without the aid of an expert or without'changing any of the connections of the apparatus.

Now to adjust any cam member so as to set it for adiiferent station the switch a which is normally closed is used. The button 12 corresponding to the station to be changed is pressed. This operates the selecting mechanism to bring the cam corresponding to that button into position to bring part 62 into gap 44. Switch "(1" locatedon the panel is then opened and button 12 is again, depressed. This energizes coil 51 and attracts arm 59. Coil 51 is locked energized in a novel manner. The attraction of armature 59 into gap 44 causes it to contact with the end of the core of magnet 51. The energizing circuit for this magnet may then be traced over the following path: positive lead 1|, coil of magnet, contact 63, pin 64, core of magnet, armature 59, cam 39, leads 65 and 61 of motor", winding of motor 28, and lead 65 to negative battery at 10. Leads 66 and 61 of the motor field being short circuited by cam 39, the motor remains stationary and magnet 3| is not energized. l

The manualtuning knob I6 can now be turned and part 62 will hold cam 39 against rotation while the shaft is turning. The shaft 5 is turned in this fashion until the desired station or wave length is tuned in. When this is accomplished, switch a is moved to its original position which deenergizes coil 51, and restores the system to normal ready to use. In this fashion the Wavelength'for all of the push buttons and their associated cams may be varied at will without thenecessity of getting inside the selector or manually holding anything.

The electrical characteristics of this system are such'that it is practically fool proof. For instance, if two buttons such as 12 and 13 are depressed at the same time, no harm can result. If their corresponding arms 59 are opposite on cam sections 42, the shaft will be turned until the first gap 44 of the two is reached when the motor will be deenergized; and, if one arm is opposite section 42 and the other. opposite 43, then nothing will happen when both buttons are depressed, as the motor leads 66 and 61 will be connected to each other thru arms 59 and conductor 68. v I

? Keys". and 13 may be located at any desired point, either at the receiving set or remote there: from. I also provide means whereby duplicate sets of such keys may be arranged at different points so that the control of station selection may be had at several points remote from or at the receiving apparatus. The wiring diagram by means ofwhich this is accomplished is, of

course, the same as shown inFig. 18 with the exception that instead of a singlebutton 12 parallel leads maybe run to additional buttons such as indicated at 12' in Fig. 18 so that the circuit ing buttons is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 15 and will now be described.

In Fig. 14, there is shown the front panel I1 of a radio receiving apparatus having thereon a button panel as indicated at 83, this panel I1, of course, having the tuning handle I6 thereon for tuning independently of the automatic wave.

selecting device and having an aperture as at 84 through which the dial or drum 8 is visible. A suitable volume control knob is indicated at 85 which knob will also be described in connection with the volume control. The panel ,83 is shown in vertical section in the end view, Fig. 9, and the rear view, F g. 11, while Fig. is a horizontal section thereof.

The construction of this panel is as follows:

Mounted on the back of the panel I1 are a plurality of insulating frame members 86, 81, and a grounded aluminum bracket 88, the members 86 and 81 having thereon vertical rows ofv terminal screws such as 89 and 90 which terminal screws extend through and have a free end spaced from the front panel 83. member 88 there are provided a plurality of spring plates 9| which are connected at their center as indicated at 92 to one side of the source of current as for instance to the side 10 as indicated in Fig. 18. The panel 83 is, of course, of conducting material. The spring plates 9| are apertured to receive clips 93 which are adapted to snap in and out of an aperture readily by means of the spring fingers 94 and 95 thereon and the clips 93 carry suitable indicating plates 96 preferably of insulating material and preferably translucent which plates carry thereon the call letters of the station which is to be selected by the depression of the spring plate associated therewith to contact with the associated terminal 89 or 99. A suitable lamp as indicated at 91 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 is used to illuminate the case at the receiving apparatus. For a duplicate set of keys reference is made to the control box shown at 98 in Fig. 15 which hasmounted therein in the same manner as the mounting on panel 83 a duplicate series of keys or buttons such as shown at 93', the wiring connections being made through the cable 99 from this key box 98. Cable 99 may be run from a set to any point desired as for instance to any other room in a house, and the control box 98 being small may be located on a table or desk or chair or placed upon a flexible cable such as 99 so as to be moved about from place to place. The practice of having a central radio receiving set and loud speakers throughout the house is becoming very common, and, by the provision of a control box such as 98 in each room where a loud speaker is placed, it is possible to haveremote control of the station to be broadcast at any place where the loud speaker is to be located.

In order to make an apparatus of this kind convenient to the user; it is necessary to also provide in conjunction with the remote control apparatus a means for not only turning the set off and on from the remote point, but also controlling thevolume of sound obtained from the set. I have provided a simple device whereby this may be accomplished with a small amount of equipment at the receiving apparatus and the addition of the volume control dial and shut off button at each control point.

In Figs. 5, 7, and 8 of the drawings the necessary equipment at the receiving apparatus is shown and in Figs. 19 and 20 the wiring connec- On the maybe shunted across a secondary I02 of one of the stages'as indicated at I03 in the audio frequency amplification in the receiving apparatus in this way to control the amount of amplification which will be made of the signals received. These resistors I and IN may, of course, be inserted in other points of the circuit for volume control wherever desired, this instance merely being givenasan example of how volume control may be connected to the receiving apparatus. In Fig; 20

net I09 for instance. is energized armature I08 will be moved into contact with spring-contact III, and, when magnet H0 is energized, armature I08 will be disconnected from spring contact III and connected to spring contact II2,

these contacts III and 2 being connected to one terminal of the resistances I00'and IOI, re-

spectively.

Now by turning the volume control knob 85 at the receiving apparatus or 85 at theremote control point into one limiting position, that is to,

the position where the secondary I02 is completely short circuited or giving a condition corresponding to no volume emanating from the receiving apparatus, an insulated member II3 carried by the shaft of the control knob is brought into position to press a spring contact II4 into engagement with contact II5 which is-connected to one terminal of the source of current 642' @When this occurs, magnet I09 is energized over a path extending from the positive side of a source of current through the coil of magnet I 09 back through contacts H4 and H5 to the negative side of the source of current. This results in moving armature I08 into engagement with spring contact III which connects resistor I00 into circuit I parallel with secondary I02 and disconnects'resistor I0l from the secondary by breaking contact between the armature I08 and spring contact H2. Spring contacts III and H2 as shown in Figs. '7 and 8 overlap so that the armature I08 can never be out of contact with both of them at the same time so that either resistor IOI or I00 is shunted across the secondary I02 at all times. As shownin Figs. 16 and 1'7, the elements I I3 and I I4 consist of-cam portions mounted upon the rotating element I04 of the resistors in such position as to move the element II4 upwardly to contact with the element I'I5 when the movable member I04 reaches its limiting position in one direction. g

In addition to the volume control just described, the volume control knobs 85 and 85' have centrally mounted therein pins H6 and H6 which may be depressed to shut off the receiving apparatus whenever it is desired. The mechanism by which this is accomplished is shown more clearly in Fig. 16 wherein the pin H6 is shown as mounted on a contact making pin III pletes. circuit for opening a switch to out. of! the I supply of energy to the receiving apparatus.

InFig. 19 the wiring diagram for this connection is shown, the contacts Ill and H8 being shown in duplicate, that is, one for thevolume control at thereceiving apparatus and one for the volume control in the control box 90. The power line is shown at II9 as being connected'to the filaments of tubes I20 of the receiving apparatus and passing therethrough to contact PM which is adapted to. be connected by a bridging element I22 to a second spring contact-I23 to complete circuit over a conductor I24 to the other side of the source of current supply for the tubes. The bridgingcontact I22 is carried on a.

pivoted shaft I25 as shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 19 which shaftjcarries the ratchet wheel I26.

,cNow in order to operate this ratchet wheel there is provided a step down transformer consisting of a. primary I21 and a secondary I28 connected across thesource of current supply for the' receiving apparatus, the secondary being connected through contacts I" and I I8- to the winding I29 of a solenoid having a movable core I30. This core is springretracted as by means of thespring I3I so that its normal position is that shown in Fig. 12. Movable core I30 carries an arm I32 which has a spring finger I33 thereon engaging withthe teeth of the ratchet wheel I 26. Thus it will beseen that every time a. button I I5 or 'I I6 is depressed it closes one pair of the contacts H1 or IIB to energize coiljl29 which attracts'the core I30 and causes the spring finger I33 to move the ratchet wheel and the associated bridging contact one step in a clockwise direction. In this way the bridging contact can be moved into and out of position engaging with the contacts I 2I and I23 to make and break the circuit which energizes the receiving apparatus. ,With the above mechanism it is therefore possible to tunethe receiving apparatus from a remote point so as to cause it to automatically sei'act being substantially those of the drawing in Fig. 15 so that this remote control box or a plurality of them maybe placed at various places throughout a home.

A distinctly advantageous feature of this systemlies in the fact that during the automatic tuning the speakeris shut off so that no unpleasant howls or noises' are produced by tuning while the speaker is on; Where a plurality of speakers are used, it is obvious, of course, that the same apparatus which shifts control of the volume 'fromone of the volume ,control elements to the other may also shift the speaker circuit connectionsirom one speaker to another at the same time. This control in no way interfereswith the manual tuning of the set and its operation of the usual manner, and its size is such that it may be placed between the front panel of the set and the operating elements thereof with the use I of very little additional space. The motor which operates thev automatic tuning device being always disconnected while the speaker is on creates no objectionable static or noises in the receiving apparatus.

Having thus described my invention'what I claim as new and desire Patent is:

1. In' a radio tuner, a rotary tuning shaftflnsulating means on said shaft, aselector unit supported by said .insulating means comprising a ing to engage said locking means to stop the shaft and the selector unit.

2. A control system for a radioreceiver in-' i eluding a driving motor, a selector unit compris ing a pair of separated members," contact means for engaging one of said members to causerotar tion by said driving motor in one direction or the other depending upon the member engaged, such rotation continuing to a predetermined angular position of said selector unit to "cause said contact means to engage both members simultane-f ously to stop such rotation at such. predetermined point. v l i v 3. In a tuning device for a radio set, a controller connected to a tuning shaft and including spaced conductors movable therewith and a plurality of contact members in fixed locations relative to the conductors, electric circuits connected to the conductors, contiguous ends of conductors forming a recess, whereby one of'the contact members maybe projected into said recess to simultaneously complete the electric circuits.

4. A tuning device for a radio receiver including in combination a rotatabletuning shaft, a

pair of spaced conductors on said tuning shaft and rotatable, therewith, said conductors each having two spaced apart terminal portions and said conductors positioned with respect to one another in a manner to provide a' terminal pore tlon of one adjacent a terminal portion of the said adjustable device for moving the latter, a rotor on said shaft including a pair of conducting Y segments insulated from one another, each se ment having a terminal portion in a corresponding position thereon, power means for driving said shaft, and means for discontinuing the driving of said shaft, including a contact member for bridging said terminal portions.

6. Control apparatusfor an adjustable device,

said apparatus including a shaft connected with said adjustable device for'moving' the latter, a

pair of spaced members on said shaft, each having a terminal portion thereon correspondingly-1 positioned with respect to one another and inshaft, said unit having a peripheral recess there-,. in andcomprising a pair of conducting segments spaced apart at said recess, a shiftable spring contact arm having aprojection adapted to enter said recess when said unit is ina predetermined broadcast station setting; means for actuating said spring arm to cause the projec- 21,866 to jwri shaft for complete an electric circuit causing said shaft to rotate and retain said'arm, in engagement therewith until said projection is in registry with said recess,;with the; spring pressure betion to press against a conducting segment to tween Itheretained spring arm and cam unit causing said projection to spring into said recess whereby to simultaneously engage each conducting segment mechanically and electrically to stop the rotation of said shaft. 8 A tuning system for a radio receiver including a rotary shaft, a reversible motor for driving saidshaft, a control unit on said shaft and nor-'- mally rotatable therewith, said control unitincluding, a pair of separated a conducting segments, a contactfor engaging one segment or the other to complete a circuit through the engaged segment for causing rotation of-the motor in one direction or the other depending upon the segment engaged said rotation continuing to a predetermined point topermit said contact to engage both segments to form a short circuit to render the motor inoperativeto rotate the shaft. 9. In a control for a radio receiver, a tuning condenser, a reversible motor to rotate said condenser, a station selecting member rotatable with with each 'of' said segments in an incomplete,

energizing circuit, a brush adapted to engage one of said segments to complete the energizing cir-' cuit through that segment, the segment engaged governing thedirection of rotation of the motor, with said segment rotatable to bring the gap into registry with the brush whereby said'brush en gages both segments simultaneously to complete and short-circuit the circuits through each segment to stop the motor."

' 10. In a "selective tuning device for radio apparatus, a rotary shaftj'a pair of. conducting seg-- ments on said shaft insulated from one another ;and insulated from said shaft, electrically controlled powermeans for driving said shaft clockwise or counterclockwise, contact means for entuate the power means to cause rotation of said shaft clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the segment engaged, each of said segments having a terminal'portion at each end to provide a terminal portion of one segment adjacent a terminal, portion of the other, and means responsive to the simultaneous engagement of 'two adjacent terminal portions by said contact means to cause the stopping of said rotaryshaft.

- 11. In a tuning system for radio receiving devices, a tuning device, a rotary shaft for operating said tuning device, a reversible motor for driving said shaft, and control means for moving said tuning device to a predetermined point and stopping it there comprising a' pair of complementary conducting segments encircling said shaft each connected to the energizing circuit of the motor so that completion of the motor circuit through one'segment causes rotation in one direction, and completion of the motor circuit through the other segment causes rotation in the other direction, control means including a contact element cooperating with said segments to energize said'motor and turn the shaft to bring the contact element into engagement with both said segments, and. means rendered operative by the connection of both said segmentsto deenergize said. motor and stop said shaft.

I 12. Ina tuning system for radio receiving systems, a tuning device, power means to actuate gagement-with onesegment or the other 'to ac- 21,866 said tuning device, individual selecting means for'difierent settings of said'tuning device operable to cause said power means to actuate the tuning device and adjust it to the selected setting, said individual selecting means each including a member connected to said tuning device for moving it, a pair of complementary conducting segments movable by said member, a contact,ele-, ment normally out of contact with either segment, control means for causing said contact to engage one of said segments, a clutch device actuated by engagement of one segment with said contact element to cause movement of said memher by said power means to. bring the contact element to a point where it contacts both'of said segments, and connections from the contact element and said segments to the clutch device releasing the clutch device when the contact element engages both segments.

13. In a control for a radio receiver driving means therefor, a rotary shaft, a station selecting member on said shaft rotatable by said driving means, said member in'cluding'a pair of conducting segments spaced circumferentially to forma gap, means for selectively connecting said driving means to said rotary shaft, a brush adapted to engage one of said segments to complete a circuit for energizing said connecting means to connect said shaft and driving means to cause rotation of said station selecting member, an electro-magnet for attracting said brush to said segment, depressible switch means momentarily depressible to complete a circuit through said electromagnet to energize the same, and means for holding said brush in engagement with said conducting segment for a predetermined rotary interval of travel after release of said depressible switch means.

14. In the device of claim 13, said brush including a supplemental contact portion movable therewith andin electrical connection therewith, with said holding means for said brush including a circuit having said supplemental contact portion' therein and a stationary contact in electrical connection with said electro-magnet for electrical engagement with said supplemental contact portion.

15. Control apparatus for an adjustable device, said apparatus including a shaft connected with said adjustable device for moving the latter, a plurality of rotors on said shaft, each including a pair of complementary conducting segments insulated from one another, insulating means for mounting said rotors on said shaft and insulating them therefrom, each of said segments having a lateral flange over a portion of the periphery thereof and a terminal portion at each end of said flange with said segments positioned in a manner to provide a terminal portion on the flange of one segment adjacent a terminal portion on the other segment, power means for driving said shaft, and contact means for bridging a pair of adjacent corresponding'terminal portions.

16. A control device for controllable apparatus includingla rotary shaft, and a selector unit on said shaft acting to control the rotation of said shaft, said'unit comprising a pair of conducting segments insulated from one another, with each segment comprising a disc-like body portion and a peripheral lateral flange extending over less than of the periphery of the body portion,

each flange formed to provide a shoulder at each' end thereof with said segments positioned with respect to one another so that the flanges are substantially coextensive and adjacent shoulders of the flanges are separated to define a gap therebetween, contact means for said selector unit acting to complete an actuating circuit for said rotary shaft and the unit thereon, said contact meanshaving a substantially wedge-shaped projectionthereon for initially engaging a conducting segment to cause rotation thereof to a point at which said projection enters one of said gaps for electrical engagement of each segment and a mechanical locking of the selector unit. I

17. In a control device for controllable apparatus, a rotary shaft, electrically controlled power means for driving said shaft, aselector unit on said shaft for controlling the rotary movement thereof, said selector unit comprising a pair of I adjacent conducting segments insulated from one another and each having an engaging edge over less than 180 of the outside thereof, with said segments having a gap common to adjacent ends of the engaging edges, a movable element for contact with an engaging edge for actuation of the power means to rotate said shaft, and means responsive to the simultaneous contact of said movable element with two engaging edges at a gap to stop said shaft.

18. An arrangement for controlling the angular movement of a shaft including driving means for the shaft, control units on said shaft acting to stop the angular movement of the shaft at a predetermined point, each of said control units including a pair of complementary segments with an engaging edge approximately 180 in length on each segment, and said engaging-edges oppositely disposed and formed in a manner to provide a recess common to contiguous ends of said engaging edges, a contact element for engagement with an engaging edge of a control unit segment to close an electric circuit actuating said driving means, with said contact element adapted to enter said recess of said control unit to render said driving means inoperative to move said shaft.

19. A control system for a radio receiver in-, cluding a driving motor, a rotary shaft driven by said motor, a selector unit on said shaft comprising a pair of complementary conducting members each having an engaging surface over approximately one-half the edge portion thereof with said engaging surfaces oppositely disposed with respect to one another and of such shape as to provide a recess at adjacent ends of the oppositely disposed surfaces, a contact element having a wedge-shaped projection upon one end thereof for engaging one surface or theother to energize the motor to cause rotation of said selector unit to a point at which said wedgemember and for movement into engagement with said member to stop said shaft at a predetermined point, a manually operable switch, operating means controlled by said switch for moving said element into engagement with said member, and

a normally open switch adapted to be cioseci upon the operation of said operating means to maintain. the latter in its operated position fol- Y switch. 9

lowing the release of said manuallyioperable 21. An arrangement for controlling the angular movement of a shaft comprising driving means for angularly moving the shaft, movable means acting to stop the movement of the shaft at. a predetermined point, an electro-magnet for operating said movable means to stopping position, and circuit means including a manually operable switch for initially rendering said driving means and electro-magnet operative, said circuit means including electrical means acting when said electro-magnet is rendered operative to maintain said driving means and electro-magnet operative upon the release of said manually operable switch.

22. An arrangement for controlling the angular movement of a shaft comprising means for angularly moving said shaft, a member arranged for movement with said shaft, an element pivotally mounted for movement away from said member and for movement into engagement with said member to stop said shaft at a predetermined point, operating means for moving said element into engagement withsaid member, an operating circuit for said means, a push-button switch for controlling the operation of said operating circuit and a normally open switch connected in parallel with said push-button switch and arranged to be closed upon the operation of said operating means whereby it will maintain the operating circuit for said operating means upon the release of said push-button switch.

23. Ina control fora radio receiver, electric driving means, a station selecting member rotatable by said driving means including ,a pair of conducting segments spaced circumferentially to form a gap, with each of said segments connected to said driving means, a brush adapted to engage one of said segments to complete the energizing circuit through that segment to cause rotation thereof, manually depressible switch means, en-

ergizable means adapted to be energized upon momentary depressing of saidswitch means to cause said brush to engage one of said conducting segments, and means for holding said brush in engagement with said conducting segment for a predetermined rotary interval of travel after release of said switch means.

24. A control device for controllable apparatus including a rotary shaft, a selector rotor on said shaft-driving means for said shaft, and means for extending a circuit through said selector rotor to energizesaid driving means, said circuit extending means including a contact member having a substantially wedge-shaped projection at one end, an electro-magnet for attracting said contact member to cause the projection to engage shaft including a pair of conducting segments separated peripherally at twooppositely disposed points on the surface of said rotor, driving means for said shaft, means. for extending a circuit through a selector rotor segmentto energize the driving means, said circuit extending means injcluding a movablecontaict member, an 'electromagnet' for attracting said contact member to cause it to engage a rotor segment, a switch for momentary closing to energize said magnet, 21.

stationary contact member in the energizing circuit for said magnet, and a. supplemental contact portion on said movable contact member for engagement with said stationary contact member to maintain said magnet energized after release 1 .of said switch means to continue energization of said driving means for rotation of the rotor unti-l said movable contact member engages both of said segments atone of said separated peripheral points and simultaneously therewith acts to render said driving means inoperative.

and electric means for holding any one of said selective control devices while the tuning element is manually operated whereby the position of the tuning element relative to the held'selecting device may be varied at will.

2'7. An automatic tuning system for radio receiving apparatus. including a manually operable tuning element, a motor for adjusting said tuning element, selectivecontrol devices for stopping said tuning element at any one of a plurality of positions depending upon the control device'operv ated, said tuning element having means operatively connected therewith for stopping engagement with selected control devices, and electric' means for holding any one of said selective control devices while the tuning element is manually operated whereby the position of the tuning element relative to the held control device may be varied at will, with said motor being inoperative to adjust the tuning element during such manual operation.

28. A control device for controllable apparatus, said device having a manually rotatable'shaft, a series of control members frictionally mounted on said shaft and normally rotatable therewith but permitting said shaft to turn therein when held, means for driving said shaft, electrical means acting to release the driving means from the members, and electrically operated means for holding any one of said control members against rotation, whereby to permit manual turning of said shaft independently of said held control member. i

29 In a system of the character described, a control device for changing the characteristics of an electrical circuit, said device having a movable element, a manually rotatable shaft for moving said element, a series of cam members frictionally mounted on said shaft and normally rotatable therewith but permitting said shaft to turn therein when held, a motor connected to said shaft, electro-magneticmeans to release the motor from the shaft at predetermined positions of said cam members, and electro-magnetic means for holding any one of said cam members whereby to permit manual turning of said shaft independently of said held cam member.

30. A radio tuning device comprising a cam mounted on a rotary tuning shaft, said cam having a recess in a predetermined angular position of said cam correspondingto a selected broadcast station, a movable member having a projection for engagement-with said recessfor locking said cam against rotary movement, electromagnetic means for drawing said projection into said recess and holding the same therein, and manual means for rotating said shaft while holding said cam to change the angular relation between the cam and the shaft.

31. In a radio tuner, a rotary tuning shaft, insulating means on said shaft, a selector unit supported by said insulating means comprising a pair of complementary conducting segments provided with locking means arranged in a predetermined radial position, a combination contact and stopping member f'or selective engagement with a segment to cause rotation of the shaft to a point at which said member engages said locking means to stop said shaft and unit, and means for holding the combination member engaged with said locking means to hold said unit stationary while manually rotating said shaft.

32. In a tuning system for a radio receiver including in combination an electric driving motor, a rotor driven by said motor, said rotor including a pair of complementary discs insulated from one another, a contact for engagement initially with one of said discs to extend a circuit through said disc to said motor to cause said motor to rotate to drive said rotor, means including a push-button remote from said radio receiver for extending a circuit through said contact, with said rotor rotatable by said motor to an angular position permitting engagement of both discs simultaneously by said contact to form a shortcircuit across circuits including both said discs to cause stoppage of said rotor and render said able contact element, depressible means remote from said radio receiver to cause said contact to engage a conducting member upon the depressing of such means to energize said motor to rotate said selector unit to a predetermined position at which said contact element engages both discs, said contact element causing a short circuit across circuits through each of said conducting members at such predetermined position to render said motor inoperative and stop said selector unit.

34. A control system for controllable apparatus including in combination a rotary shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a control unit supported on said shaft including a pair of spaced conductors insulated from one another and with the con,- tiguous ends of such conductors forming a recess, an electric circuit connected to each conductor, a selector member for said control unit having a projecting portion thereon, means to move said selector member into engagement with one conductor or the other of the control unit to complete an electric circuit through the conductor engaged to cause rotation of the rotary shaft by the rotating means to an angular position at which the projecting portion of the selector member projects into a recess of said control unit, with said projecting portion in the recess acting to stop the rotation ofthe control unit at that angular position.

35. In a tuning device for a radio set, frequency changing means actuated by a rotary shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a 'pair of spaced conductors supported on said shaft and movable therewith having contiguous ends forming a stop gap, stationary contact means for electrical connection with each conductor, movable contact means for engagement with one or the other of said conductors to extend a circuit therethrough and initiate rotation of said shaft to a point where said movable contact means is moved into a stop gap at contiguous ends of said conductors to firmly seat therein and effect the stopping of rotation of said shaft and control unit.

36. An arrangement'for controlling the angular movement of a shaft comprising a plurality of control members carried on said shaft, with each of said members having a periphery thereon, power means for driving said shaft in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, an element corresponding to each control member mounted for movement into engagement with a corresponding member with the periphery of said member defining thelimits of initial movement of said element, each of said control members having a recess in the periphery thereof and two oppositely disposed peripheral portions extending peripherally away from said recess, with one of said peripheral portions determining clockwise driving by said power means upon engagement of an element therewith, and the other peripheral portion determining counterclockwise driving by said power means upon suchengagement, a manually operable switch for closing a circuit to initiate movement of said shaft to a predetermined angular position, a circuit controlled by said switch having means therein actuated by the closing of said switch to cause pivotal movement of one of said elements until said element is in engagement with the periphery of the corresponding control member, and switch means in said circuit adapted to open when said pivotal element moves into said peripheral recess of the control member after angular movement of said shaft with the pivotal element in engagement with such control member thereon,

3'7. A tuning device for a radio receiver including in combination a plurality of rotatively supported control units, a double field motor for drivingsaid units, each of said control units includinga pair of segmental conductors insulated from each other with contiguous ends of said conductors forming a recess and each conductor electrically connected to a separate motor field so that both conductors are in normally open motor circuits, a plurality of selector contacts with a contact corresponding to each control unit, and each contact having a projection thereon, with said selector contacts adapted to be selec tively moved into engagement with a conductor of the control unit corresponding to the contact selected to close a circuit through the motor field connected to the conductor to cause said motor to rotate in a direction to move a recess in said control unit into registry with the projection on the selected contact, with said projection being urged into the recessat that position to cause the control unit and the motor to stop.

38. In a selective tuning device for radio apparatus, movable tuning means, a pair of complementary conducting segments movable with said tuning means with said conducting segments separated but having adjacent end portions, power means for moving said tuning means, a selector member being normally out of engagement with either segment past which said segments move, electrical means including said segments for causing said power means to move said segments in a direction to bring adjacent end portions of said segments beneath said selector member, actuating means connected into said electrical means for moving said selector member into engagement with a segment, and means operative when said selector member is in seated engagement with adjacent end portions of the pair of conducting segments to stop said conducting segments and said power means.

39. A tuning device for a radio receiver including in combination, a rotary shaft, a double field motor for driving said shaft, a plurality of control rotors, each having two substantially complementary peripheral portions together extending over substantially a 360 peripheral path, a recess in said peripheral path, a movable selector finger for each rotor having an end portion adapted to engage a peripheral edge of one rotor portion or the other to determine the direction of rotation of the motor, magnet means for moving said finger into engagement with a peripheral portion, a momentarily depressible switch for closingan energizing circuit for the magnet means, means for completing a motor circuit through one field or the other upon said engagement, and electrical holding means for maintaining said finger on said peripheral edge after release of the switch until the end portion of said finger is projected into such peripheral recess to effect stopping of said rotor.

40, Atuning system for a radio receiver including in combination, a tuning element, means for varying the tuned position of said element including a rotor having a pair of conducting segments insulated from one another, a contact for engagement with one segment or the other depending upon the angularposition ofv the rotor and the segment engaged determining the direction of rotation of said rotor, power means for rotating said rotor having electrical connection therewith, means for energizing said contact to start rotation of said rotor, with said contact acting to cause the stopping of the rotation of said rotor when said contact engages both segments simultaneously.

41. In a tuning device for a radio receiver, a rotary shaft, a plurality of control units on said shaft, each unit including a pair of conducting segments having their eng'ageable edges together extending through substantially 360, an insulating portion between said segments, with said unit having a recess on the periphery thereof at the insulating portion, a reversible motor including a pair of fields for driving said rotary shaft, with one of said fields adapted for energization for clockwise rotation of the motor and the other field for counterclockwise, electrical connecting means for each of said segments to a correspond-' ing motor field, a movable contact'for engagement with one segment or the other to complete a circuit through the field'of the motor connected to that segment to cause rotation of the motor and shaft in a corresponding direction depending upon which segment is engaged, said contact having a projecting portion,withsaid unit rotating with said shaft until the projecting portion of the contact seats in such recess in the unit to effect stoppage of the rotary shaft.

42. A control device for controllable apparatus 4 taining said finger in engagement while saidv rotor is rotated by said power means to an angular position with the finger projection in such peripheral recess of said rotor, a switch for actuation to initially energize the electromagnetic means and acting when closed to maintain said electromagnetic means energized to hold the finger projection in said recess and retain the rotor against movement while manually rotating the rotary shaft in a rotor adjusting operation to change the relative angular position between said shaft and said rotor, said power means during said manual rotation being inoperative to rotate the shaft.

43. Radio tuning apparatus including in combination a rotary shaft, reversible power means for rotating said shaft, control means in an electrical circuit with said power means and a second control means for electrical engagement with said first control means, with one of said control means comprising a pair ofconducting members insulated from one another and the other of said control means comprising a single conducting member, with one of said pair of members being engageable with the single member and said power means being energizable upon said engagement to cause rotation of said shaft in a direction determined by the member of said pair being engaged, with said shaft being rotatable to a predetermined angular positionat which said single member is in electrical engagement with both of said pair of members.

means comprising a single member, with one of saiclpair of members being engageable' with the single member, and said power means being energizable upon said engagement to cause rotation of said shaft to a predetermined angular position at which said single member is in en-' gagement with both of said pair of members, with one of said control means having a gap-like portion thereon and the other of said control means having a projecting portion adapted to register with said gap-like portion at said predetermined angular position for mechanical engagement between said first and said second control means to stop. the rotation of said shaft,

45. In a radio receiver tuning system having tuning means and means for manually moving said tuning means, the combination of a plurality of adjustable control members operatively connected with said tuning means, a plurality of selector members corresponding to said control members selectively engageable with corresponding control members, and electric means for initially moving a selected selector. member into engagement with a corresponding control member and subsequently retaining said selector member in holding engagement with said corresponding control member while manually moving said tuning means to change the relative adjusted position between said tuning means and said control member.

46. In a radio tuner having a rotatable shaft, the combination of a series of control members frictionally mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith during a tuning operation and adapted to be angularly adjusted with reference to said 7; 

